How to Make a Vintage Hankie Quilt
Learn how
I love collecting vintage linens, the unique styles, colors, and prints you can only seem to find in vintage linens. My sister had a baby girl, and I decided to use some of my stash of vintage hankies to make a quilt for her sweet baby girl.
(and here is that sweet baby girl many years later)
About the Quilt
One of the things I love about this quilt is that it’s incredibly soft, totally one of a kind, and perfect for little ones to snuggle up in! It’s extra soft because I backed it in chenille (if you use chenille, DON’T forget to prewash).
I’m pleased with how it turned out. It’s made from twelve 9 ” x 9″ (finished size) blocks. I’ll share a little about how I made it.
Where to Find Vintage Hankies
I usually find vintage hankies at local thrift shops for less than a few dollars apiece. You can also find them on Etsy. When picking out the ones to use in this quilt, I looked for red or turquoise ones to tie the colors together.
Just a note before we get started. I have received A LOT of emails telling me that I should not EVER cut up or sew vintage linen. I understand their perspective. However, I would argue that these hankies are much better used (and remembered) in a quilt. Otherwise, they’re just sitting in a box in a closet, and who gets to enjoy that?
Before You Begin
- Try to find 12 Vintage Handkerchiefs close to the same size.
- If they are not close to the same size, find and purchase some Voile or Cotton Lawn fabric to mix in with the handkerchiefs so that you have enough fabric to complete your project.
- If you have not already, wash your linens. If you need help with this step, check out our Tips for Working With Vintage Linens article.
Okay, to make the quilt…
How to Make a Vintage Hankie Quilt
supplies
- 12 Vintage Handkerchiefs try to get them all close to the same size; if you can’t find 12 the same size I’ll talk about handling that.
- 1 Yard Lightweight Cotton like a Voile or a Lawn (Liberty would be great for this!).
- 1 Yard Quilt Backing I used chenille but you can use whatever you’d like.
- 1/2 Yard Binding
- Quilt Batting to fit quilt size My Quilt is approximately 25″ x 34″
Instructions
- NOTE: I usually do not pre-wash my fabrics, but since your hankies have been washed (let’s hope at least!) already, you want your other fabrics to be cleaned as well. Wash and dry your voile fabrics and quilt backing on low.
- Size: 25″ x 34″
Step One: Decide what size Squares you want to work with
- Measure your largest hankie, then subtract 1/2″ from each side. For example, if you have a 10 1/2″ hankie, you’re dealing with 10″ squares.
- If you only have one large hankie and the rest are small, I recommend going with the most common size, assuming you’re okay with trimming your largest hankie down to size.
- If most of your hankies are 9 1/2″ squares, and you have one that is 10 1/2″, I’d trim the 10 1/2″ one down and work with a 9″ square as your base. Adjust based on what you have on hand.
- On your largest hankies, trim the hem off of the hankies so that they are 10″ x 10″ (Or whatever size you’ve decided to work with).
Step Two: What to do with Small Handkerchiefs
- Cut one piece of Voile or lawn for each of your small hankies. Center the hanky on the square, and stitch the hanky to the square, leaving the original hem on. Stitch right on top of the existing hem, this way the sewn-on hanky will not fray.
Step Three: Assemble the Top
- Arrange your squares into four rows of three. I like to use a quilt wall to help me decide on a layout. It makes it much easier to visualize.
- Stitch each row together and press the seams to one side. I like pressing my even rows to the right and odd ones to the left.
- After your rows are sewn, stitch the rows together.
Step Four: Quilting
- Make a Quilt Sandwich and stitch the quilt using straight seams. Since you don’t want to cover up the hankies, I think the easiest thing to do is a “stitch in the ditch.” This means stitching quilting lines into the seams between the squares.
To see how to make a “quilt sandwich,” check out this tutorial.
This post was published previously. It has been updated with additional information and instructions.
More Fun Vintage Hankie Projects:
Baby Burp Cloths Made from Vintage Hankies
Darling! I love it!
This is one of the best ideas that i have seen in a really long time. I have piles of vintage hankies that belonged to my grandma. Thanks for the inspiration. Your blog is awesome.
too funny! I just wrote on my blog about vintage hankies, and here I see you have made a blanket! Well done too 🙂 I have so often wanted to make one of these myself.
That is awesome!
so so pretty! I have some vintage hankies of my mom’s and grandma’s, but I’m saving them up and can hopefully make a little collection. This is such a great way to put them to use! 🙂
Cute baby and cute quilt. Great idea!
Love it, Melissa. It’s beautiful and so is your new little niece!
The quilt is lovely but I gotta say its nothing compared to that darling baby!
This is so wonderful Melissa! I love it!
we LOVE it. soft as butter!
Thanks so much for this! I was handed down a bag of vintage hankies and napkins. Good idea!
Lovely quilt and adorable neice! What a special gift.
She is a beauty, and what a special quilt. I’m sure it will be treasured for years to come. BTW, I have also learned the same lesson with chenille. 🙂
Perfect! Both quilt and baby! Such a fun idea for repurposing. I wish I had access to such fun hankies.
My friend Karrieann made a kitchen curtain with hankies
http://karrieann-followingmyheartandjesus.blogspot.com/2010/11/finally-my-dream-kitchen-curtains.html
Love the quilt!
What a great idea! It turned out beautifully. Your niece is a treasure.
My grandmother recently tried to give me a bunch of similar hankies, and as beautiful as they are, I couldn’t take them because I didn’t know what to do with him. This is a GREAT idea! Thanks for the inspiration!
Among my step-mother’s belongings were a lot of hankies. Her daughter, my half sister, is building a new house. I want to use those hankies to make a quilt for a housewarming gift. She will treasure it, I know.
That quilt is beautiful and timeless. It will be a family heirloom I am sure. And yes, she is a beauty, those eyes!